informed curiosity

USAGE SUMMARY

"informed curiosity" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to a curiosity that is based on the knowledge gained from research or experience. For example, "He approached the situation with informed curiosity, having read up on the subject beforehand."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Mr. Kaufman (the director of the current "Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo" on Broadway) made his name by combining the roles of archivist and dramatist with the superb "Gross Indecency: The Three Trials of Oscar Wilde" (1997), and a passionate researcher's curiosity informed his "Laramie Project" (2000) and his "33 Variations" (2009), which starred Jane Fonda as a Beethoven scholar.

The New York Times

But every 10-year-old I know has some sketchy understanding, or, worse still, ill-informed curiosity about where they came from.

The Guardian - Opinion

Individuals and groups embark on projects of all sorts, led primarily by their interests and curiosities, informed by their skills or the skills they want to learn.

International Journal of STEM Education

The film is informed by sympathy and curiosity, but Lennon didn't come to it by way of an intellectual grasp of criminal-justice reform or a passion about the history of mass incarceration, he told me.

The New Yorker

Please continue upgrading your section with intelligent, insightful articles that inform and generate curiosity, so that the Travel section becomes a must-read part of The New York Times again.

The New York Times

Why?" He then admits it was just curiosity, informs Swift about a girl he met, and walks away.

Wikipedia

Not being all too familiar with the work of Peter James, I was struck with curiosity when we were informed that he would be coming to our school to talk with us.

The Guardian

Our criteria had been music of unarguable integrity; emotion informed and achieved through intellectual rigour and curiosity.

The Guardian

The study suggested that donors' curiosity and concern about any offspring that might have resulted from their donation might increase in time, as it did for me, and concluded that keeping anonymous donors better informed could alleviate some of the anxiety and curiosity that egg donors reported feeling after having donated.

The New York Times

Like many specimens of that era, its folds were filled by insufficiently informed taxidermists, so that it swells fit to burst with evidence of curiosity and its limits.

The Guardian - Arts

The programs, which place each of Britten's three string quartets into context, were designed by the members of the Escher String Quartet with the same penetrating intelligence and curiosity that informs their playing.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "informed curiosity", ensure the context clarifies the source or nature of the informing knowledge.

Common error

Avoid using "informed curiosity" when simple "curiosity" suffices. Reserve it for cases where prior knowledge significantly influences the line of inquiry.

Linguistic Context

"Informed curiosity" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "informed" modifies the noun "curiosity", indicating a specific type of curiosity that is guided or shaped by knowledge. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Informed curiosity" is a grammatically sound phrase that describes a type of curiosity driven by existing knowledge. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for use in written English to describe a state of wanting to learn more when you are guided by what you know. While the phrase isn't overly common, favoring deliberate use, it effectively conveys a sense of thoughtful inquiry in academic, scientific, and professional contexts. Alternative phrasings include "knowledge-based inquisitiveness" or "educated interest" to alter the emphasis. The best practice is to reserve the usage of "informed curiosity" to cases where the prior knowledge base is really relevant and crucial to the overall message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

knowledge-based inquisitiveness

This alternative highlights the foundation of knowledge upon which the inquisitiveness is built.

educated interest

This phrase emphasizes the learning and understanding that fuels the interest.

well-grounded curiosity

This alternative suggests that the curiosity is firmly rooted in a solid understanding.

researched inquisitiveness

This highlights that the curiosity stems from previous research.

studied interest

This emphasizes that the interest has been examined and considered.

learned curiosity

This phrase indicates that the curiosity has been acquired through learning.

awareness-driven exploration

This alternative focuses on the role of awareness in motivating the exploration.

enlightened interest

This phrase emphasizes how the person has become better informed, hence the interest.

insightful questioning

This focuses on the depth and understanding behind the questions being asked.

discerning interest

This alternative stresses the ability to make good judgements about which questions to ask.

FAQs

How can "informed curiosity" be used effectively in writing?

"Informed curiosity" is most effective when you want to emphasize that a person's interest or investigation is guided by existing knowledge or research. It suggests a deeper, more thoughtful approach than simple curiosity.

What is a good alternative to "informed curiosity"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "knowledge-based inquisitiveness", "educated interest", or "well-grounded curiosity".

Is "informed curiosity" a common phrase?

While grammatically correct, "informed curiosity" is not as common as other phrases expressing curiosity or interest. Its usage should be deliberate, to convey the specific nuance of knowledge-driven inquiry.

In what situations is "informed curiosity" most appropriate?

"Informed curiosity" is particularly suitable in academic, scientific, or investigative contexts, where prior research or understanding plays a crucial role in shaping the questions asked and the direction of exploration.